Yea, everyone except you! Now you know why the community was peeved that the gearing of the 6th gear is identical to the GE's 5th and the high revs associated with it.

I think sound deadening material can be added to improve the noise. I believe honda stepped up the application of sound deadening at around the 2011 model GE (or something like that). However, it must be difficult to apply behind the center console/dash where it would help the most to block out the engine drone.

Personally, I like some drone, it makes me confident that my engine is not freaking out. I like to hear the "note" of the engine which is pretty audible in my GD3. From the test drives I've seen, even on the CVT, the engine noise is pretty high, might be the transmission noise also.

Great review!, lucky for you, most of your complaints can be addressed with affordable mods (except the gears). Good luck and thanks for the review.

 

Looks like trolling again!!! That's okay am used to you by now.

Again, you gotta go and read my posts carefully. My debate was to not make conclusions based solely on accurate formulas which I don't doubt. Its still gotta be put to the test and nothing beats a test drive and the OP's is a daily driven test drive which remains factual. The result so far, is its not exactly at 4,000rpm which you seem to say it will definitely be. Its not, its a few hundred lower. Even then, you yourself still don't know cause you still don't have anything to test drive.

Get your facts straight and don't put words into my posts.

 

These aren't theoretical formulas. They are accurate. Every single time.

 

My post edited to reflect your point.

No matter how accurate, they still have to be put to the test. In this case my point was do the test drive and prove it.

 

They've been being put to the test for decades. You anti-vaccine too?

On-Topic: OP, how's the steering feel?

 

I believe (correct me if i'm wrong) that the steering is now driven by an electric motor, so the steering feels very light. Unfortunately, the steering does not get heavier as you go faster, so correcting your line when driving at speed is a little darty. Be sure to have steady hands. I was doing a little over double the recommended speed for an offramp hairpin and made a small correction; wasn't expecting the steering to be so light. Shouldn't be an issue for most drivers.

The car rotates pretty well, even more so if you know howto trail-brake. The car could use a rear sway bar. I will probably add one when a decently thick one comes out. I'm loving the center-mounted gas tank. I'm not sure howto explain the sensation, but it makes you feel more confident because the car feels more planted.

The electric steering is great for parking and parallel parking. Can use one finger with ease.

 

Obvious your so off topic to retort, cause driving that Fiesta is soooooo pleasing you have to surf the FF forum. Then maybe again its that undying urge to pull me into a counter-troll??? No way.

Guys like you have your own set minds. Impervious to real-life testing versus a formula on paper. I for one, want to make everyone feel good and comfortable. That includes you. So continue to talk your GF into getting a GK. That way you can experience it day-to-day. You may end up driving it more than her!!!

You can always have her take over your Fiesta lease and you'll be a happier person!!!

As for "put to the test", the accurate formulas, yes, but to a point. It still has to be put to the real life sized test - a bloody test drive. And in the Fit's 6th gear, even then, the results are not an exact duplicate. Its still less a couple of hundred down over the 4,000 rpm that the formula you say it "has" to be.

Sorry.

 

Yep, electric steering, same as GD/GE. Sounds good, hopefully the lady won't mind the light steering. Thanks again d00d.

The formula didn't say 4k. People who were just throwing numbers around...said 4k. All I said was that the GK 6th was exactly the same and revs would be exactly the same between GK 6th and GE 5th.

They are.

My GF will get a GK. I will drive it...however, I'm not going to get rid of my 55 MPG luxo-hatch for a long time. I bought it, no lease dawg.

 

4,000 rpm at 80 mph is the area of contention. Please refer to the previous posts in the other thread where a couple GE owner's observed exactly that. Am taking their word for it.

Too repeat, the formulas is one thing and after others (GK owners), including journalists have reported, the GK is around 3,850rpm at the same speed. That ain't the same!!!

As for your Fiesta being fully owned, I stand corrected, so, enjoy it, as most of us on this GK section will be enjoying our Fits for many years to come!!!!

Continue posting and surfing to get that "good" feeling once you start driving your GF's GK on a daily basis.

OP, apologies for going off topic.

 

Having driven both a GD and a GE at 80...neither is at 4k RPM.

 

Having owned a 2012 Focus, and ignoring all its fatal transmission issues and the astonishing depreciation-- I do not miss the interior of that car one bit.

 

Don't doubt you but ya never posted the exact results, so, being a statement after the fact, will go with what the previous GE owners posted. Oh yeah, so what are the GD's and GE's rpm range based on your driving them at 80mph???? Post your figures dood!

To bad you can't post a pic to back it up like so others have done. Will confirm the GK's result using my Ultra gauge to eliminate any faulty calibrated tach issues once I finally get delivery.

It'll be a bit delayed as will install all my pre-purchased mods. So figure the end of Aug.

 

Are we arguing about 150 rpm? That's fairly insignificant in the grand scheme. If it were an argument of 3500 and 4000, ok.

My GE is ~4k RPM at 80 mph but my tire diameter is slightly smaller than stock. When I had 195/60/15 (slightly larger than stock) it was about 3850 or so.

It can be mathematically calculated what the RPM will be at speed using the final drive ratio, gear ratio, and tire size. That is what Mike is talking about.

 

No arguements from this side. My contention has always been: put the formula to a real test with a Test Drive. If its 150 rpm lower than so be it. But at least its known and proven.

Others may refer too its "exactly the same". An accurate statement would rather be "its exactly the same but 150 rpm less."

 

Yeah, we have the treble up and bass maxed out lol Thinking about changing out the speakers...

Great review BTW

 

thanks - this is a fun little car to beat on

I was just surfing Crutchfield also. better speakers and a small powered underseat subs would do wonders. i'll wait a bit and see if I can resist upgrading, haha

 

If you do upgrade (or even just investigate), please keep us posted! It would be good to know what the process is like, what sizes the speakers are, etc.

 

So i'd like to give an updated review after driving the Fit for a week now.

the motor loves to be rev'd out; the higher the rpms, the better. the motor is still in the break-in period, so i haven't passed 4500 rpms yet. but once i hit 1200 miles on the odometer, i look forward to seeing what the car feels like at redline.

when driving mildly aggressive on local twisty roads, the Fit feels really fast, but im actually going really slow, lol. super short gearing requires constant shifting and adds to the fun factor. revs fall quickly between shifts and shift points are close because of gearing, so you really need to shift quickly to rev match properly. this kind of adds to the excitement and makes you want to push the car. i found myself wanting to drive the car randomly just because it really is fun.

when heel-toe downshifting, you barely need to swing your foot over to blip the throttle. the pedal setup is great.

i've also become accustomed to the shifter and where the gears are. even tho the shifter is still mushy, i can shift quickly and accurately with no issues. i still plan on adding solid bushings.

however, i have three new complaints:
1- my FM antenna sucks. lots of stations are staticy. i'm having the dealer look into this
2- i've developed a clunking sound from the right rear suspension. suspecting a loose strut mount, but i'm not sure
3- car needs an alignment. i pull to the right on the highway


and to settle all disputes about rpm vs mph in 6th gear, please see below photos for 70, 75, and 80 mph:

 

and to add, despite the gearing, i managed 43 mpg (per the trip computer) going 75mph on a 35mi highway trip. i was very surprised

 

Tofushop,

thanks for your experience on your car, I will be taking delivery soon and I think I am on the same edge as you based on your points, and my own test drive.

the only thing I am worried about at this point is the droning nose... if indeed cruising at 80 is around 3900 per your photos, then I am just afraid of the car being a tad bit loud. As our test drive was very short on the freeway part, I think I will need to do another test once more before buying the car.

as for the shifting, I am coming from a EP3 and a MR2... the Fit for sure is not as "sure" feel going into the gears. Nothing bushing and a heavy knob won't be able to correct.

what do you think of the body sway? as the car is pretty tall, I would think some issues with the body roll through the twisties through the touge.

but yes, by no means this is a race car, and it probably makes more noise than action. But it doesn't mean it can't be fun on a day to day basis.

I was apart of the Spoon/Opak team when we ran the 25hr Fit back in the day; I washed and cleaned the car windows; as I was a client of Opak, and they just invited me every year to watch and participate as much as I can for pit crew. I hope this GK can bring out that feeling again.